Cardiac and Respiratory Healthcare Science Assistant

County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

Cardiac and Respiratory Healthcare Science Assistant

The closing date is 15 October 2026

We are seeking an enthusiasticand highly motivated Cardiac / Respiratory Healthcare Science Assistant to workas part of our friendly team providing a diagnostic Cardiology and Respiratoryservice to both in-patients and out-patients. The post will also involve someadministrative and reception duties, including dealing with patient and staffqueries, managing clinics on the Trust IT systems and making and amendingappointments. The principal hospitals within County Durham and Darlington NHS FoundationTrust are University Hospital of North Durham, Darlington Memorial Hospital,Bishop Auckland Hospital and Shotley Bridge Hospital. The Cardiology andRespiratory Investigation Units provide a broad range of invasive and noninvasive procedures. We are committed to providing learning and developmentopportunities to all our staff.

This is a unique and excitingopportunity for someone who would enjoy a post combining both clinical andadministrative work.

Main duties of the job

The successful candidate will work as part of a team in a busyCardio-Respiratory Department. As a department, we pride ourselves on thequality of diagnostic services we provide for patients. You should have a goodunderstanding of, or have experience of working in a medical environment and havethe ability to remain calm, especially in stressful situations. Ideally, youshould be technically competent to perform 12 lead ECGs, as well as a numberof other basic diagnostic procedures but this is not essential. Experience ofreception and administrative work would also be useful.

About us

If you are being interviewed you must accept an interview slot in the system to continue, even if you have arranged with the manager.

You must be able to produce ALL certificates stated essential in the person specification or you will not be able to complete pre-employment checks.

We provide hospital services from two acute sites - Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester-le-Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale as well as over 80 other community based settings and providing care in patients' homes.

We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented.

Full Job Descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents.

Over reliance onAI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish the applicant's chances ofsuccess.

For the most up-to-date information on visa requirements and eligibility, please check online to determine whether you can apply.

Job responsibilities

This post will be based at Darlington Memorial Hospital, however thepost holder will be expected to be flexible and there will be some requirementto work at Bishop Auckland Hospital. You may also be required at times tosupport services at the other sites within the Trust. We actively encourage andsupport all appropriate professional development and we develop staff in linewith professional and clinical competencies.

Minimum qualifications: 3 GCSE passes grade 4 or above (or equivalent),one to be English Language.

To either hold, or be prepared to obtain, with training, the Society forCardiological Science and Technology (SCST) Award in Electrocardiography withinthe first year of employment.

Person Specification

Special Skills & Knowledge

• Organisational skills
• Good interpersonal and communication skills written and verbal IT literate / administrative skills
• Knowledge of Data Protection and an understanding of the need to maintain patient confidentiality
• Ability to use discretion and use own initiative to resolve routine queries in line with departmental procedures
• Flexible approach to work and adaptable to change
• Knowledge of medical terminology
• Experience in performing spirometry and 12 lead ECGs
• Basic ECG interpretation Ability to use relevant Trust IT systems

Qualifications

• Good standard of education minimum of 3 GCSE Grade 4 (or equivalent), including English Language.
• SCST Award in Electrocardiography, or willingness to undertake with training within the first year of being in post.
• NVQ level 2 Health and Social Care
• NVQ level 2 Business and Administration or equivalent

Statutory Registration

• Member of SCST

Special Requirements

• Able to travel across Trust sites to meet the requirements of the post Approachable and friendly Ability to put patients at ease and work across all patient groups Ability to work under pressure and to remain calm in stressful situations. Ability to respond appropriately in an emergency situation. Present a professional image at all times

Experience

• Good understanding and / or experience of working in a healthcare environment. Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Experience of other tests performed in Cardiac and Respiratory diagnostic Departments.
• Experience of reception and administrative work

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer name

County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

#J-18808-Ljbffr